"...There is a sense that this is the time for the church, that … what was meant for evil, God intends for good," he said. Instead of seeking retaliation or revenge, believers who lost their homes and possessions voiced confidence that "God is good and Jesus is still Lord."

"[Believers are] standing firm," he said.

Fellow strategy leader Brian Foshee* said, "They see … this is how we can demonstrate what it means to follow Christ and what we do if we're going to follow up what we believe with our actions...

Trials make the promise sweet; Trials give new life to prayer; Trials bring me to His feet, Lay me low, and keep me there.

"God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains His soldiers not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and subjecting them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many long miles with heavy backpacks of sorrow. Well, Christian, may this not account for the troubles through which you are passing? Is the Lord bringing out your graces and making them grow? Is it for this reason He contends with you?"